GREENSBORO, N.C. — Those who knew Greensboro police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix are still coming to grips with his killing last month. 

Cheridan Abeles visited Nix’s memorial at the Greensboro Police Department for the first time Friday. She said being there was really hard. 

She was at dinner with friends when she got the blue alert on her phone when the shooting happened Dec. 30. 

“When I found out it was Dale, it was just heart-wrenching,” Abeles said. “You don't want it to happen to anyone, but when it's someone that you know, it just makes it really hard because he was such a lovable guy.”

They attended Smith High School in Greensboro, and she described him as witty and smart. 

Both Abeles and Nix served on student council together. He was president and she was vice president.

“He was always the funny guy,” Abeles said. “He wasn’t necessarily a class clown because he was always well-behaved and so smart. But his sense of humor  — I would call it this day and time  —  I guess dad jokes that he would tell in the classroom.”

Abeles said he had an effect on those around him. 

“He always put others above himself and was really humble," she said. "I've never known anyone to meet Dale that did not like Dale."

Abeles, a nurse, said seeing the processional where all the law enforcement came together was really moving. 

“You build a sisterhood and a brotherhood together, and it's just amazing," she said. "I'm not surprised to see all the support.”